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SO WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
This site was created some years ago as a source of information on the era of the English Civil Wars (or, as historians now prefer, the period of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms). The intention is to provide information about life, civilian as well as military, during the mid-seventeenth century and guidance on many aspects of re-enactment. Material is being added all the time so it's worth coming back to see what's new.
Inevitably, the opinions expressed on the site are not necessarily those of the Fairfax Battalia, its members or its officers.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Fairfax Battalia is one of the leading English Civil War re-enactment groups. Members have a reputation for historical accuracy in everything they do at events and work hard to involve the visiting public. This website is intended to provide information relating to the English Civil Wars and to various aspects of re-enactment as conducted by the Fairfax Battalia.
You can search the content of this site by typing text into the search box on the left of the screen or by browsing titles of articles in the various sections listed below.
The information included here is generally from enthusiasts using secondary or tertiary sources and, with a few notable exceptions, has not been provided by academics or professional historians. Many of the people who have contributed material are extremely knowledgeable and have researched their subjects very thoroughly but the material you will find here should not be used as an authoritative source in the way that peer-reviewed material (such as books, papers or DNB articles) could.
Please also note that all of the material here remains the intellectual property of the individual authors. It may not be published or circulated without the written permission of the relevant author.
The content of the site is arranged by category shown below. The indented text is the title of each page.
GENERAL[edit]
Main page and information About Fairfax Battalia
LIVING[edit]
Appearance: Wigs and hair Calendars: Dates and calendars Feast Days Children: Children Education Literacy Clothing: Black for clothing Fustian Hat honour and deference Hat service Recreating the Reality of Elizabethan Clothing 1 Recreating the Reality of Elizabethan Clothing 2 Stockings in the mid-seventeenth century Commerce: Coins of the 17th century Income by Social Grouping Prices of accommodation, food and drink in 1625 Tally sticks and the formation of the Bank of England Communities: Fladbury Parish accounts: damages claimed from Parliament Coventry during the civil wars Construction: Teak in 17th century Death: Concepts of death in Early Modern England Life expectancy Education: Education Literacy Fabric Fustian Food & drink Chocolate advertisement Coffee in England in the seventeenth century Water or small beer Health: Average height Healers in the 17th century Health (William Vaughan’s Fifteen Directions to Preserve Health) Leisure: Playing cards London: London and the English Civil War Marriage: Betrothal ceremonies Politics: Levellers Society: Income by Social Grouping Population: calculations for London and the country Servants in the 1640s to 1650s Tournaments in the 17th century
RELIGION[edit]
Papists, Protestants and Puritans - a user's guide Religion in the Civil Wars Part 1 The Religious Background to the Civil War Religion in the Civil Wars Part 2 Some Tenets of Protestant Reformation Religion in the Civil Wars Part 3 Religion and the Monarchy Prior to the Civil War Religion in the Civil Wars Part 4 Religion and Parliament Religion in the Civil Wars Part 5 The Levellers and the Army Religion in the Civil Wars Part 6 Concepts in 17th century religion Religion in the Civil Wars Part 7 Other 17th Century Religious Groups
MILITARY[edit]
The Japanese and arquebuses Battle of Worcester Battles of the Civil Wars - locations and dates Brockt up in Flanderis Montrose's regular troops European Military Revolution - when, where, who? Sir Thomas Fairfax - who was he? Fairfax Tour of Destruction Flags Martial arts in 17th century England Military Rank Structure Military store at Shrewsbury in August 1659 Mortars, Mortar-bombs and Hand-grenades Muskets and their use During the English Civil Wars Nehemiah Wharton letters Nicholas Devereux - his life Oxford Foot - know your enemy - The Oxford Foot on 14 June 1645 Receipt suggestions for 'cooking by file' Seige of Galway Sir Robert Overton - his life Worcestershire Clubmen
RE-ENACTING[edit]
Background: Fairfax Battalia background Dates and calendars Regnal Years Books: Books Clothing: Lacing and how not to do it Equipment: Getting a Shot Gun Certificate European Firearms Pass Shot Gun Certificate Going abroad with a musket Musket Safety Etiquette: Hat honour and deference Hat service Events: Your first event Camping at an event Children at events Talking to the public Films: The Musketeer - film review Drill: Drill displays Musket drill Pike postures Research: Beginner's guide to research Beginner's guide to Referencing Beginner's dictionary Origin of ye and the long s Roman numerals and how to interpret them Roles: Choosing your role Safety: Musket Safety
BOOK REVIEWS[edit]
Black Tom - book review Dealing in Death - book review Hobberdy Dick - book review Nathaniel's Nutmeg - book review National conflicts - book review The Adventurer who Unlocked Japan - book review
